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Pediatric ocular injuries from airsoft toy guns
Tarek A Shazly1, A K Al-Hussaini
1Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. shazlyt@gmail.com
Insights
Airsoft guns can cause serious eye injuries in children, including hyphema and cataracts, sometimes requiring surgery. These injuries can lead to significant long-term vision problems.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Trauma Surgery
Background:
- Airsoft guns are increasingly popular recreational toys.
- Eye injuries from airsoft guns represent a significant public health concern in pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document the spectrum of ocular injuries sustained by children from airsoft gun projectiles.
- To analyze the clinical presentation, management, and visual outcomes of these injuries.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of pediatric patients treated for airsoft gun-related ocular injuries.
- Data collected included injury location, symptoms, signs, surgical procedures, and final visual acuity.
Main Results:
- Thirty-two children (mean age 8.8 years, 87.5% boys) were analyzed.
- Common injuries included hyphema (75%), corneal abrasions (31%), and traumatic cataracts (22%).
- Five patients (16%) had final visual acuity of 20/200 or worse, with some requiring surgical intervention.
Conclusions:
- Airsoft guns can inflict severe ocular damage in children, ranging from corneal abrasions to traumatic cataracts.
- Prompt medical evaluation and potential surgical intervention are crucial for managing these injuries.
- The potential for permanent vision impairment underscores the need for safety precautions with airsoft guns.
Purpose:
To report ocular injuries caused by airsoft guns in children.
Methods:
A retrospective chart review of pediatric patients who sustained ocular injuries related to airsoft guns between November 2005 and December 2007. Place of trauma, presenting symptoms and signs, surgical interventions performed, and final visual outcome were reviewed.
Results:
Thirty-two patients with a mean age of 8.8 ± 4.0 years (range: 1.5 to 18 years) were examined; 28 were boys (87.5%). Presenting visual acuity ranged from hand motions to 20/20 and could not be assessed in 2 patients. Hyphema was a common finding that was present in 24 cases, corneal abrasions were present in 10 cases, and raised intraocular pressure was present in 7 cases. Seven patients presented with traumatic cataract, and two had iridodialysis. Immediate surgical intervention was performed in 7 patients and 7 patients were scheduled for elective surgery. The patients presented after an average of 1.9 ± 1.9 days (range: 4 hours to 6 days) after the injury. Average follow-up was 18 days (range: 7 days to 5 months). Final visual acuity was 20/200 or worse in 5 patients, 20/40 or better in 23 patients, and could not be assessed in 2 cases.
Conclusion:
Airsoft guns can cause a variety of serious injuries, sometimes necessitating operative intervention. The long-term morbidity from some of these injuries is significant. Airsoft guns are capable of inflicting serious and permanent ocular damage.
